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Date: 8/1/2025
Subject: August 2025 Newsletter "Around the Pointe"
From: Sharon Chapman


What’s Happening … August 2025

President's Message

 

“Connections with members, technology & community.”

 

Stay cool this summer by enjoying Lunch Bunch, Mah-jongg and Summer Book Clubs. For those members who don’t mind the heat we have Beach Babes, PP Cyclers and Tennis. It may be low season but we have lots to do!

Stay connected with PPWA by renewing your membership as soon as possible. This edition of Around the Pointe will be your last if you have not renewed your dues. Starting September 1st only current members will receive our newsletter and be able to sign up for activities.  If you join before August 1st then you are eligible to enter a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card.  So far we have 420 ladies who have joined PPWA.  Stay connected to friends and events! 

 

Respectfully,

Brenda Hankard

Board Member Spotlight

 

Diane Santoianni   Secretary

 

As we begin our 2025-26 year, I will begin my second term as PPWA Secretary. This also starts my seventh year on the Board, as I have previously served as Activity Leader Coordinator.  My responsibilities as Secretary include recording minutes for all meetings and handling correspondence sent and received. This involves sending get well wishes to those recovering from hospitalization and condolence notes and I depend on members to inform me when they know of such an instance.

 

After having vacationed in Venice for many years, my husband and I realized our dream of becoming full time residents in 2016. I retired from teaching chemistry after a 33-year career, but still enjoy tutoring in chemistry and literacy. My involvement in PPWA has enriched my life as I have made many friends who share my enjoyment of cycling, kayaking, traveling and cooking. The beauty of PPWA is that there really is something for everyone. 
Activity Leaders Spotlight

Lynn Mintz & Molly Wellen    

  Casual Mah-jongg  

 

Molly and Lynn both retired from a small lake community in New Jersey and have been friends for more than 50 years. They enjoy teaching Mah- Jongg on Mondays at the PP clubhouse from 12:30-3:00.  Please contact them if you are interested in learning how to play. You can also join other players for lunch at 11:15 am before Mah-jongg starts. During the summer, there can be 5-7 tables of four players. In season, there can be 15 tables running.

 

Lynn began her career as a 2nd grade teacher and became an elementary school principal. Once she retired to Venice she learned the game from a neighbor and it eventually became a PPWA Activity. She taught Molly how to play and together they now run the Casual Mah-jongg activity. Lynn also runs the Quilting Group which meets on Tuesdays in the clubhouse atrium from 10:00-2:00 while breaking for lunch at 11:30am.

 

Molly also had a career in education as a high school history teacher, guidance counselor and a district Director of Pupil Services. She moved from Easton, PA which is not far from Philadelphia but her career was in New Jersey. She has been a co-leader with Lynn since 2014. 

 

What better way to learn Mah-jongg than from two educators!
Membership News
 
 

Remember to renew your membership before September 1, so you will continue to have access to the Calendar, Member Directory, newsletter and all PPWA events.  Members are unable to register for events or get emails about their activity groups if they are not renewed.    You can contact Membership Chairs Karen Proctor or Lisa Murphy if you need help. 

 
Go to www.ppwavenice.org and click Renew to start.

 

 
Lisa Murphy
Karen Proctor



Website Tip


Please add your photo to your PPWA profile. It’s a great way to connect with others and helps new members locate Activity Leaders at events.  Only members who are logged on can see our photos.

Directions:  Log on. Hover over your name at the top right and click either Profile or Directory Listing. Find the empty round circle for the photo and click the small Edit pencil.  You can add a photo by either selecting one from your device (photos stored on your computer) or take a selfie with your cell phone.  Click Save. 

Let me know if you’d like a Board member to arrive before your event to take individual photos of your members. We will upload the photos too. 

Brenda Hankard


2025 
  THANK YOU !!    
Garden Elementary School  






PPWA would like to thank all of you for your most generous donations to the children and teachers of Garden Elementary  School. They were overwhelmed by your generosity! We were able to donate everything on their list. Thank you again for supporting the PPWA  partnership with Garden Elementary School!   

Robbie VonSalzen and Vickie Ahern



To order a nametag click on link

Name Tag Form
Arts & Culture

Travel Club

 



TRAVEL CLUB:  Amsterdam Tulip River Cruise    April 10, 2026



Do you prefer smaller ships? You may want to try a river cruise.

The cost is approximately $5,000 per person.  Price includes excursions, wine & beer, port charges, entertainment. Airfare not included. Solo pricing available. Husbands and guests are welcome. 
Contact Keidrie Savelle at AAA in south Sarasota at 941-536-0441.

 

Stay tuned for a Downton Abbey Movie event in September. 

Details TBD.

 

Brenda Hankard
Hobbies & Crafts
Garden Club
 
From the garden...

We are looking forward to sharing another year of Florida Life in Full Bloom!  If you have not signed up for PPWA , please do so by the end of August so that you will continue to get newsletters and other PPWA emails.  So, sign up soon and include your registration for Garden Club! 

 

We are close to setting up the programs for the 2025-26 season.  In November we will be hearing from the Punta Gorda Garden Club about how they decorate for the holidays using items found on the ground or “trash” to some.  Other meetings will involve (VABI)Venice Area Beautification Inc, Bromeliads Hybridization, and Orchids.  In April we are planning a Pelican Pointe Garden Tour and would be delighted to add your garden to our tour.  Let us know if you would consider being included, or if you have questions about your garden being on the tour, by contacting Cynthia Herbrandson or Mary-Jane Bergman.


 
Cynthia Herbrandson
Mary Jane Bergman
Wine & Dine
Lunch Bunch
 

Lunch Bunch has been meeting this summer enjoying several new restaurants added to our list of eating places.

Harbor Bistro was our destination in June.  Jan DeBoer won the gift card.

 

In June we ventured to Arturs’s in Englewood. Cheryl Anderson won the gift card from this restaurant.

We dined at Cassariano’s Italian Eatery in July.  Mary McKay won the gift card.

 

In August we will be lunching at the Crow’s Nest.  You can sign up beginning August 1st. We look forward to seeing  you.  


Chris Street 
Ellen Franzblau
Pelican Pointe Women's Association
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